Being a writer—like being a caregiver or parent—can be a lot like going on a road trip: No matter how well you pack the car, there are always a few surprises along the way. And some of the most important revelations tend to come to you in the middle of the night, when you find yourself on the “night shift.” If you’re reading this, you’ve stumbled on my virtual road trip. Welcome! I invite you to come along for the ride.

When my husband Craig and I became (foster) parents in 2002 to a sibling group of three, we had no idea what a ride was ahead of us. Which was probably a good thing. More than ten years later, I’ve learned a great deal about the joys and challenges of parenting children with “invisible” special needs. (Many of those insights came to me while crossing the country with the two of them ensconced in the back end of our Chrysler Town & Country.) If you’re reading this, you’ve stumbled on my “virtual road trip,” and invite you to come along for the ride.

Publishing Background:
Heidi Hess Saxton is a wife and mother as well as acquisitions editor for Ave Maria Press. (You can find a link to her “Ask a Catholic Editor” blog here.) She has more than twenty years’ experience in Catholic publishing as both an in-house and freelance editor; and is also author of thirteen books including Lent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta and Advent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Servant/Franciscan Media) as well as My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories (Thomas Nelson).

Heidi received her Masters in Theology, graduating summa cum laude from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in 2011, with undergraduate degrees in International Studies and Communications from Azusa Pacific University and Missions and Theology from Bethany College of Missions.